0014:30 on Tuesday, February 17th, 2026. Um, we are at the Jerry Roie District Office and we are calling to order the work study session. We have five board members, president, board member, board member Zimmerman, board member Todd, board member Kenyon, and myself, board member Schmidt. We also have interim superintendent Michelle May, and Miss Becky Williams from business services present. Uh we will move on to 1.2 the pledge of allegiance. Merman, would you lead us in the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All right. Thank you. We'll move on to item agenda item 1.3 projected budget for FY2627. U Miss Williams consultant is our presenter. >> Good evening. Get closer.
002Okay. How about this? Okay. So, if we could get the um budget projection sheet up, the first thing, as you know, doing a budget, we have to know what we're going to project as our ADM. So, what I have on this sheet is December's budget revision that we did, the ADM. And then I took that and I took out the eighth graders that were going to graduate. I added in the kindergarters that we currently have this year, the same ADM. So, we're graduating out about 532 eighth graders. And then I'm projecting that we'll bring in about 196 ADM. So that's what you're going to see at this lower ADM projections. So we are actually reducing our ADM next year by about 350 ADM. So that's what I did and I went in and I added
003the multipliers that the state says that we will get either 2% or the inflation factor whichever is less. And right now I'm hearing the inflation factor is about 2.8%. So I said 2%. So I added in the 2% to page the data page and that would be on the 26 20 or I'm sorry the 27 budget and you don't have that now if we could go to almost the end of that down right there. that one. If you go up to the top, keep going. You'll see that I changed those multipliers. And so instead of the 5,113 per ADM, I increased it to the 5,215 ADM. And then I added in the transportation at 2%. So bringing all of that data into then these two pages, you can see that the 26 is the December
004budget and then I projected what 27 would be. I also um took the remember this year we moved the 700 um000 from capital to M. I put back a h 100,000 because now we're getting so low on our um bond that we're going to need some money in capital next year to help with all of the maintenance. So I lowered that to 600,000. And then I increased our budget balance carry forward to the 750,000 that we project we will have at the end of this year. It could go up from that, but that would be the minimum that I would think it would be there. I did leave in the one-time state funding. Um, that's not guaranteeing that we will get all of that, but I left it because I wanted as much consistency as
005I could get. So we will go from what December's budget of 38 million down to 375 because we're losing all the ADM that from the large eighth grade class down to a smaller kinder class. Any questions? Hi. Uh yeah, I have a couple. Um And I just want to, you know, for the public's sake, the ADM number for kindergarten is only 0.5. So that's why that number seems like extra low is because if you double up, that's how many we actually like bodies we expect, but we only get paid for half. >> Yeah. Well, even the other classes are larger, but because it's ADM, not actual students, right? >> That's why it's different. So my one of my first questions is I you know I saw your projection of you know 350 less ADM which
006is still it's not all from the kindergarten class like that that decrease in ADM is coming from other places like it's not just all that the eighth grade class is super big but when I do the quick math and I you know times 350 times the base level support of 5,215, I'm getting around $1.8 million. So, how is the budget only $500,000 less? Well, because you've got to add in the override and then you add in these one-time ex um state things and that offsets that decrease. But the override we have now and the state the extra one-time funds we have now too. Like we have all those things in this year's budget, but if we're losing 350 of ADM, then we're also increasing by the 2% in we're going from $5,113 to $5,215. So
007we're getting that 2% increase. But I think we got that in December. That number was >> We'll get it again next year. >> But isn't that number reflective in the current revision then? Because we use that number in December. >> We'll get it every year. We get that 2% every year. >> Right. But it are we getting it a 2% on top of the 5,215 because >> No. No, that is the 2%. >> Okay. But that is what we have right now. So, I don't see it as a 2% because we're using that number. We use that number in December to calculate the base level of support. We use $5,113 in December. Okay. So, on the power I So, I pulled my notes from December. Um, so from the PowerPoint it says that, but when
008you go into the actual document and I I can might be right here on Oh, this one says it, too. Where did I pull that number from? I saw it. Maybe I saw it on this on the 27 is maybe where I saw it. >> B. >> Okay. So, we're we didn't use it in December to calculate it. Okay. So that's where we're getting offset because technically if we took the ADM we you know that is a correct calculation essentially like a rough number would be 1.8 million >> right if you didn't get the 2%. We did not get the 2%. Okay. >> Correct. >> Um, >> so but overall we are seeing a decrease in the you know the budget limit of 5 around I'm just giving a rough >> half million half a
009million. >> Yes, that is a correct statement. >> Um but that is with transferring the de making another transfer to >> correct. >> Okay. And you know, as we start talking, as the board starts discussing, you know, our budget priorities and things like that, >> you know, this was always essentially supposed to be like a fix for the time being, right? And this will be now the third time >> that we are doing this transfer. And like you, I am very concerned, right, about our capital needs. We hear from our parents all the time about different capital needs. Yes, we need to move that back as gradual but as consistent as we can so that we don't end up in a another problem, >> right? And so now unfortunately, right, we're in a deficit again.
010So this is our second year where we're going to need to make cuts >> and realistically it's it's a million, right? if we were really filling our capital like leaving our capital money that the state has said this is what you should have for capital we're we're and I know it's all the same fund like I don't >> yeah I >> but you're going down the right road >> but but you know the state is saying this is what you need for capital and we continue to borrow from it and so I think as a board we really need to look you know at the district as a whole and be like how can we fix this because >> we're running into the same problem again. This is would be the third time. So, >>
011well, and you're going to see it again next year because you've got a very large seventh grade that will be graduating out. >> Yes. As 37 in my seventh grade classroom. >> Yes. Um so um based on these ADM numbers though I know that it's it's mainly due to the eighth grade graduating class but if you divide where is that paper? Um so 195. So if you double it it's you know if you double that number right that's like 400 kindergarteners. Do you think that we'll need to reduce that ADM number in our May revision? Do you think it's going to affect this year's budget? >> Uh, no. I It may go down a few ADM, but I don't think it's drastic like next year will be. >> Okay. >> No, I don't think that
012um and and um why do you think we will end up with more carry forward than we originally thought? Is it due to like unfilled positions? >> That's a lot of it. Yes. Because we don't have um a lot of the um district office is like null and void. I mean, we just don't have >> and so, you know, are we going to run into trouble, right, essentially next year when we hopefully fill all these positions? Um, you know, and >> because I I thought I have asked in the past like are those numbers encumbered as if those people were there? >> I do not believe that they are. >> Um, I have got to um I would have to ask payroll for clarification, but it when I'm looking what our budget balance carry forward
013is, I'm looking at the full bottom line. That does not when you're doing year-to-ate expenditures, you're you doing year-to-date encumbrances that does not I do not believe that is encumbered. No. >> Because what? Oh, sorry. >> I'm sorry. >> Yeah, >> I had the same question. I'm pretty sure the last time we did this they said it was encumbered. So, I guess we definitely need to get that figured out. >> Yeah, I would lean to No. Okay. So, I would ask that when we prepare the budget that we encumber all of those positions because I agree that, you know, we need the positions that the board has already approved. We need those people and so, but we need to make sure we're accounting for the cost of that because those are very high level salaries
014that are going to impact the budget. >> Yep. Um, I guess I'll I'll let anybody else have any other questions and then we can come back to more of a discussion. >> Sorry, this has a question about back to the ADM being so much lower next year. is our I don't know if you know this. So we have all these kindergarters who going to become one now instead of half, right? Are our is it kindergarten class and the first grade class are they about the same numbers? You remember off top of their head or are we going to be gaining people because we're not we're not counting them but all these students going to become ones next year and we're going to get more kinder on top of that. Mhm. >> So, is this kinder
015class significantly is about the same as our first current first grade class or they more? >> When I did the projection, I just moved everybody up one. >> Okay. >> So, I didn't add or subtract or multiply or any of that. I just said, "Okay, if they were in kindergarten this year, I'm putting them in first grade next year." And I did not double that number. >> Okay. And I'm not saying add to this ADM because I'd rather be on the safe side. I was just wondering if we counted them because they're not halves anymore for counting >> holes. And just keep in mind we do we do get we do get the money essentially for them as a full-time student because we use the override money, right? So the override money is right. I
016we'll get to that discussion another day. But but I'm just saying like right now we do fund those kindergarten teachers through the money. So it's not coming through ADM the other half of our kinder you know people. But >> essentially it is funded >> because we use override money to do that. I still think that we need to be looking at our budget differently. This is again just one very large bucket of money and the only way we're going to get control of our finances do my opinion what I've been asking for for the last six years and that is to look at per campus budgets and identify what the costs are and then look down to a zerobased looking at a zerobased budget. This to me again looks like we're just kind of carrying
017forward but we need to get down to zerobased budget. look at what our true needs are and then look at what the cost of each campus is. Because unfortunately, the state in their great wisdom has decided to turn K through 12 into like college recruiting schools now where people can take their money and go anywhere. Um, so it's a lot harder to plan because you never know what charter school is going to pop up out of nowhere on some government subsidized loan they can then turn around sell later and make money off of. Um, it's just a mess. But until we look per campus and figure out what the campus is costing us, there's no way we can come up with it with this number. And and again, many times we've asked principles, "What what's
018your what's your campus cost?" Nobody knows. How much can you spend a year on teacher appreciation? Nobody knows. How much can you spend on water? Nobody knows. What does your water bill cost? Again, it's the same thing. Nobody seems to know. We've got to take this budget and stop doing it the way the district has done it in many districts for years because education has changed and school finance has changed. we've got to get to a zero base and then look at what each school campus costs to operate and then start making decisions from there. Um, we we've seen far too many times in the past where this district has had grant dollars for people that are important positions, but the grant ran out and then we acquired those employees because the district said we
019need them. There was never a consideration down the road that that was how much that was going to impact the budget. Few of us talked about that, but it didn't get anywhere. Um, so we acquire more positions and and we have to look at this, I think, completely from zero up and not not what we're doing. This is this to me feels very reminiscent of what's been done for years and years and it just doesn't it doesn't work anymore for school finance and until we look at per campus and per department. When I say campus, I also mean transportation, maintenance, every every facility, every every cost sector of the district. We've got to look at figure out what it's costing and how that's rolling up to campuses uh so that we better understand where the
020money's going. I'll just foreshadow from the beginning. I can't vote to approve a budget this year that's not broke down by campus where we have a a very detailed understanding. And I get the state wants these great papers, which people down at the Capitol building can gloat and tote and do whatever they do about school finance, but at the end of the day, we have to do our own budget paperwork that breaks us down per department. and then transfer that to these papers that the state wants. But this this number just doesn't it just doesn't work. This is what gets us in trouble. We see a number not there. Don't know why education seems the only place that looks at a budget this way. There's not another government entity that looks at this big big
021number and doesn't have it broke down to the penny, pardon me, the penny what's going to be cost, what the costs are in each department. So, and that's how cities when something comes about like a Super Bowl or whatever, they look and say, "We don't have the money for this. this is what the NFL is going to have to pay us in order for us to take this on to pay for extra security to do those things because they know exactly what their budget is. This is the Rob Peter to pay Paul all year long. And I just I'm not comfortable with it. I never have been. And I'm not going to vote to support a budget that we don't have better understanding and a very detailed look at every penny spent. Um, I think
022a couple of things is that I don't personally think that some members of the board are going to like when we break it down by campus because Loretta Zumbro is going to be way too high for the number of students they have because they have and Liberty and the number of students we have on that brand new campus is is less than the reduction of ADM that we are going to have this year. So once again, as I've stated a billion times up here, we should have never built that school. We should have never opened that school. So I don't I don't know that that's going to be helpful. As I've said in the past, doesn't matter how much the water costs. If we're opening these schools, we have to pay for the water. I
023do think that on page two of the budget sheet, it does list, you know, the different categories of instruction and maintenance and operation. And you know, one of the things that I asked u Miss Moer to do what she did and I so appreciated is she actually tied the FTEES because before they they just weren't accurate and so when we made the you know cut of essentially 3 million or 3.5 I don't remember last year I wanted to see that the reduction of FTEES and I didn't you know so that and I think transparently to show the public like okay you can look at our budget form and see we made these reductions here where they're tied. So, I do think that there are some ways, right, that we could use the form um to
024more accurately represent and I think Miss Moher put us on a good spot by tying the actual FTEES like how many people do we have in maintenance, how many people do we have in special education and make those accurate so that it is clear to us and to the public. Um, you know, in saying that, that's why I think, you know, I've said in the past why it's so important for for the board and administration to have a clear idea of what the budget needs are and what the staffing is before they go in to a job fair because now we're down $500,000, right? We haven't even talked about raises, which is in here, so we'll be able to talk about that. which we should talk about but you know because um salaries and benefits
025of employees are about 80% right of our budget >> correct >> you know the the most of our money is going to people which is great but we need to have an accurate count so that you know our um you know our district and our principles know exactly what they need right because we don't want to be offering contracts that we don't need and get ourselves you know into a situ situation. >> We have spent some time on that. Um I don't believe it's complete yet, but we do have um the teachers done. We have um some of the classified, but not all classified. And I don't believe we did all the administrators yet, but we have done some of that work that we will present eventually for you. >> I would just I'd like
026to clarify a little bit. Um I recogize we're going to of schools that don't have a good ADM due to what's happened with budgets and with open enrollment. Hard decisions are going to have to be made by the board, whatever those decisions are. Um, and they're going to this is this is the new norm for schools. This isn't there's not a school district in the state of Arizona that's not having these same conversations. Um, you know, there's two things when when we talk about opening schools. It's really bad for a school district to get a bunch of money from the state that are onetime funds. When they say you need to build a school, we take that money because if we don't, we'll never see it again. And then that goes right back onto the
027taxpayer, which would be horrific. So, it's it's never good to open a school and not have a large ADM. What's worse is to not open a school and then exceed your ADM somewhere else because we didn't do it. That's happened in this district a few times. Uh, I remember sitting in this very room when Los Besus opened and if memory serves me and it's been a number of years now, I believe there were 25 students that lived in the boundaries of Los Brius when it opened. >> Oh wow. >> Um, they did all sorts of fancy gerrymandering of boundaries to get kids to the school. And when it opened, quite sure it had a smaller ADM than Los Besus, but growth happens really quick. I was just down in Straa and a neighborhood that was
028all dirt suddenly was sticks and now it's kids running everywhere in houses. >> That happened very quickly. >> It's happening everywhere in Buckeye right now. >> It does. And so it's it's very hard to manage, but you know, we opened up we opened up Blue Horizons and Blue Horizons was nearly full from the start. Um over capacity. So, we're going to have challenges with some schools. When this district, prior to anybody who serves on this board currently, chose to remodel and invest millions of dollars into Liberty, nobody thought to check with the city of Buckeye to see what the 20-year plan is. There's no residential development going on to speak of within Liberty's boundaries at all. So, we built a school that is, as hard as this is to say, it's our original school. It's
029destined to see nothing but less and less students at it because everything around here is being zoned commercial. So, we're not going to see the number of students that this campus once saw. That's why it was downsized to where it was to begin with. And now we may be faced again with less students coming in. Um, when we talk about 180 students less coming into a to our school district next year, that's probably going to affect the schools that have lower ADM more than it will some of the larger schools because they're going to be able to carry forward. But if you're already a small ADM and you lose some, it's going to be worse. So, I just I want the board to to recognize that I don't think we're at a point where anything
030is not off the table. Um it is it is a political no no to not take SFB funds when the SFB comes and says you need to build a school because if you don't and the development takes off which it's still coming and it's still growing uh you have a problem and we look at Los Besus now for years loses didn't have the ADM but it will get there and do we need to make some changes absolutely u hindsight's always 2020 20, but we could be at the same place today saying, "Well, we should have built that school if we didn't." And and we're over capacity. And that's what your Blue Horizons families would be saying. >> Even Los Besus is completely maxed out. And we squeezed four more classrooms of that campus a couple
031years ago. And it was a modern miracle that we were able to do that because there's no more room. There's no more room at that campus. So, as that area grows around it, >> that's going to have a smaller boundary and other schools are going to get bigger boundaries. But to Miss Simmer's point, it's not me that's interest that's concerned about seeing ADMs. There are going to be hard decisions made and and that's going to become the new norm for this board, for the next board, and for the foreseeable future because students just are not coming in the numbers that they used to >> and families are not >> charter school at any point. and and pull 50 or 60 kids. That's all they really need for us to see an impact. And and that's
032what's happening. So when you talk 180, that's >> how many students do we have at Liberty right now? What's the So >> more than half >> of Liberty school just about disappears next year with with the current projected numbers. >> They don't come in perfect numbers. They they we had a superintendent who said kids don't come in perfect groups of 28. And that's that's 100% correct. We even have staff sometimes who says, "Well, I just want to teach seventh grade." Well, this year we don't have enough seventh graders to employ all of our seventh graders, but we got a big fifth grade class coming so you can go down to fifth grade. Those are those are tough decisions, but that's what's going to have to happen >> for from now until probably all of us
033are long long removed from from our positions here. Any other questions? Do we want to move on to then the projected cost of payraises or not? Okay. If um you could bring that up. Okay. So, I'm going to stand up because I like to point Okay. So, what we did, I had payroll help me to go in and say, so in this column here, we said, what is it going to cost the district to bring on, if you remember last year, we did not do the step increase. That means if you were a new hire, you went from zero years of experience to one. After three years we go from uh we give a bump from three years to four. Then we give a bump again after seven I believe it is to eight. Am
034I saying that right? Anyway, so we said to put everybody into next year in the correct number of years of service for our bus drivers, it's going to cost about $23,000. For our classified counselors, psychologists, and administrators, just under 50. For a classified hourly, it's going to be about 184,000. Now, we can't say that for teachers because teachers are hired in on a salary schedule and then they're just they're not given years of service. They're given years or if they get a like if they have a bachelor's, then they go from a bachelor's to bachelor's plus 15. Or if they have a mast's, they go from a master's to master's 15, they get that professional growth. So we said okay how many I went to HR I said how many teachers have told you that
035they are going to move with professional growth and they said right now we only have three teachers that have come in and said that we need uh that we will move over on professional growth and I said well then let's just pop in 10,000 for them. So then if you add the 23, the 49, the 184 to get the projected cost to move our classified, it's about $257,000. Does that make sense? Is that okay? This one, >> can I just ask one question? >> Sure. >> About this in particular, this first section. Yes. Are you giving um one step increase essentially like because we didn't give one this year or are you giving two for like kind of this year and next year? >> Correct. Two. >> Okay. >> So we will bring everyone in
036and make them correct for next year. >> And that cost is 257,000. >> Right. Okay. >> Correct. >> Okay. Any other questions about that? Now this is separate. This is separate. So then I said, "Okay, can you tell me based on what we if we did a 1%, a 1 and a half% and a 2% increase. So the bottom line is this is what it would cost for 1%, a 2% or 1 and a.5% and a 2%." I said, "Well, that's if you add that and this, that's too much money." So I said okay what can we do? So my suggestion is that we pay the teachers or we in um do their increase whatever you choose out of classroom site fund because currently we are about a $3 million carry forward in classroom site
037fund and that is where the state has said that we should do pay raises for teachers out of. So my suggestion would be that if we do teachers out of classroom site fund, we can do the moving everyone over where they belong and then whatever increase you choose. Does that make sense or have I completely confused everyone? Just to clarify that the like if we go with the 2% for everybody the total for everybody is 440,000 but if we also want to give the step increase that would be to our classified non-certified staff that would be an additional 250 >> correct that would be correct and that's why I suggest that we do the teachers out of classroom site fund which is not No, >> right. But you know the question of course whenever I
038think we discuss raises is how you know to make it sustainable right >> then it would be sustainable out of classroom site fund. >> But if you said we only have a $3 million carry forward then that essentially gets us I'm doing rough math here six years right before we kind of use all of that carry forward m money. And really it would probably go quicker because of um different teachers and you know it it should increase every year but because the state isn't funding classroom site fund based on raises. They're funding it based on 301 money. So the fact that we have extra is great but at some point they're not replenishing that carry forward money. Well, yes and no because every year we don't give every penny out to that we receive in
039and every year they increase the classroom site fund or they have consistently increased it the last few years but you are correct at some point they could do away with the whole 301 thing but at that point we there would be a lot more hard decisions made but we don't use every penny so the class the carry forward would I'm not going to say increase, but it should stay somewhat consistent or go down a little bit. You know, you can't guarantee every penny every day, but I would say it's sustainable for now. and remind me and I should know the answer to this so I apologize but is the Prop 301 um voter approved or strictly from the state legislature? I believe it's straight from the legislature because it's the state land trust money. So
040as they rent out state land or sell state land, that's where we get our 301 prop money, whatever you want to call it, Prop 123. No, Prop 123 is different, but the 301 monies is the state land trust money. >> I mean, every once in a while I hear rumblings of like, >> oh, yeah. >> You know, that it could go away. And so, you know, again, as a board member, my fear of putting raises into money that isn't necessarily like could go away, right? Like our our base level, our M isn't going to go away. You know, they have to fund public schools at some rate. They don't. No, they don't. >> Not at the best rate. But I mean, that would be a whole different discussion. But, you know, >> I certainly think
041we need to give raises this year. I just want to be clear that I think as a board, we have to find a way, >> but I also again think we have to be fiscally responsible and and find it to be sustainable. And, you know, as Mr. Todd said we have to make hard decisions and you know using the opening of a school like and taking you know goes back to the electric buses well if you give in grant money you have to take it well if it's not a fiscally responsible decision you know inevitably it's going to hurt you in the end um as a board right and so I just want us to really think about the decisions that are in front of us I mean either way we're going to have to
042make cuts you know somewhere in in the budget. >> Um, and if we want to pay this out of M, then we're talking about over a million dollars in cuts. What's up? Well, that's all I have unless you have something else. I will turn it back to board president. Do we have any other followup questions for Miss Williams or discussion that you would like to have at this point? >> Um, I just, you know, um, Miss May, as you, you know, work with the budget committee, you know, I think that I think from here we can see that the conversation needs to to be what can we live without, unfortunately. Um, and that is why I wanted to have this done so that we didn't waste the budget committee's time, you know, coming up with
043things they want because I had a feeling unfortunately that we were going to be in this position. Um, you know, I think the board uh almost everybody on Pier has been through that process last last year and it was painful. I'm not going to lie. Um but unfortunately um you know we need to do it and so um you know I'd really like to see uh parents and community members included in that budget conversation because they are all our taxpayers and um you know we're responsible for their tax dollars. So I think it's important that we include all stakeholders in those budget conversations. One more thing. Um, board members, I'd like to introduce Caitlyn Brunie. She is our new accountant for the district and so you will see her at board meetings to so if
044you have questions, you can follow up with her also. Thank you, Miss Williams. Any other followup at this point? Otherwise, we can end the work study. Um, all right. We will end the work study session at 510 p.m. Hey, hey, hey. Heat. Heat. Hey, hey, hey. Hey, hey, hey. Heat. Heat. Hey, hey, hey. Heat. Heat. N. Heat. Heat. Hey, hey, hey. Somebody I'm coming up Are you Heat. Heat. Hey. Oh. Oh. Heat. Heat. Hey, Come on. Somebody. Heat. Heat. Hey, hey, hey. It is 5:30 on Tuesday, February 17th, 2026. I call to order the special board meeting. We are at the Jerry Roie District Office and have five board members present. Board member Todd, board member Zimmerman, board member Kenyon, board member Sarinion, and myself, board member Schmidt. Um, we can move on to agenda
045item 3.2, approval of special meeting agenda. I make a motion to approve the special meeting agenda form consistent with board policy 1-302 and temporarily suspend governing board policy with which this agenda may be inconsistent. Second. All >> right, we have a motion and a second. We'll take the vote. Um, board member Todd >> I. >> Board member Kenyon. >> I. >> Board member Zimmerman. >> I. >> Board member Serion. >> I'm also an I will show that passed 50. Um, uh, item 4.1, approval of consent agenda. >> I'd like to pull 4.2, 4.4, four and 4.5. Anything else? All right, we have a motion to approve the consent agenda minus items 4.2, 4.4, and 4.5. Oh, I'm sorry. We did not have a motion yet. I Thank you. We do not have a motion. We
046just have them requested for polling. So 4.2, 4.4, and 4.5. So can we would love like to make a motion? >> I make a motion to approve 4.3. >> Second. >> All right, we have a motion and a second to approve 4.3. We'll take the vote. Um, member Todd, >> I. >> Member Kenyon, >> I. >> Member Zimmerman. >> Hi. >> Member Senion. >> Hi. I'm also an I that shows uh we can show that pass five to zero and we will move on to 4.2 approval of personnel action items. Miss Emerman, you asked to pull it. Yeah, I have a couple things. Um on the supplemental compensation, um it lists the CPI training and it just it does not list an amount. Um and typically all of those things are listed for the board.
047So um is that uh it looks like the training already took place. So do we know why? Um you know it's not listed the costs. Madame President, members of the board, yes, I'm I will need to make sure that we get that amount on there for you. >> Okay. on the sorry on the sheet it looks like it says amount regular hourly rate for eight hours so it just isn't the amount but it would be whatever they make for eight hours right >> you want the amount per person >> I mean just that's what everything else is I've never seen it done this way so again I don't know what these people make you know what I mean or anybody else in the public so um and then um in terms of uh the termin
048ation that's listed, you know, due to us not being able to discuss it fully in public. Um, I do think that the board should table it um so that we can ensure that the board is given proper documentation that all policies procedures um have been followed and uh especially in regards to our policy 4-105. Um, and due to the late nature in which we were given information, I don't I don't think we have everything we need to make an appropriate decision at this time. >> Any other comments or questions for 4.2? >> So, I make a motion to approve 4 4.2 into with the exception of Diana Guerrero, office manager at Rainbow Valley. >> All right, we have a motion. >> I'll second. >> We have a motion and a second. We can take a
049vote. Member Todd, Madam President, actually now is the time for discussion. Um, we do have some very clear documentation from legal that everything was followed properly. I'm I'm not in favor of of tableabling that motion. Um, it's uh been very well documented. It's been very well cleared and I think it's very dangerous waters for the board to get involved in administration's decision on on this uh on this matter. So um I would offer amendment that we approve 4.2 and it's whole. >> Any other comments or discussion at this time? >> Comment. >> Go ahead. >> So I've been going back and forth on this because I know there's a lot of support from the community. At the same time, I don't think this is the board's I don't want to say business because it's all
050our business, but I don't want to get in the habit of questioning the principles and administration. Um, I don't want to say at this level, but it is. And I'm just not comfortable with questioning that at this time. If if it's something because I feel like we're going to open up Pandora's box if we do this. Uh I am not in disagreement and the only reason that I I'm just asking like my preference would be to table it so that the board has the ability to have a conversation with legal because this is happening like the information came to us very late and I just am concerned about the implementation of policy 4-105 and I do believe as a board it's our responsibility to ensure that our policies are implemented correctly. And so I'm not
051necessarily questioning the decision. I'm questioning the implementation of the policy. And because it's kind of a one, you know, we're getting onesided information without a dialogue with legal counsel. And so that that's my concern here. But I agree that the decision at the end it is not is we are not as the board should be involved. The implementation of the policy is where is where I'm at. >> Madam President, for me, >> go ahead. >> I've also considered this um quite a bit over the last couple days and uh again, we have to be very careful with what we discuss right now because it is a personnel matter. However, I believe the proper channels were gone through um and I'm not opposed to administration with what they can allow us to see or allow the
052public to see. But no matter what decision we make as a governing board, we have to protect all individuals involved and their rights. And so doesn't matter what the decision is, we can't come out and say, "Well, this, this, this, and this," because it's a personnel issue. Um, and so because of that, we've heard time and time again, trust administration. Um, and you know, and we also know some of the we've been emailed, we've all been emailed by community members, we've been emailed by legal, we've been emailed by um, a number of different people involved. Um, and so because to me it appears the proper steps were taken, I have to support administration on this. And with that, I'll second uh, Mr. Todd's revision to his motion to the motion. >> So we have an
053amendment to the motion and a second to the amendment. Right. So we can take a vote on the amendment. >> President Schmidt. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Your motion. >> The amendment is to approve 4.2 and it's whole. >> Oh, thank you. >> Or the amendment. Sorry. the amendment. Yep. So, we'll take a vote on the amendment. Um, Mr. Todd, >> I. >> Mr. Kenyon, >> I. >> Miss Zimmerman, >> nay. >> Mr. Sarion, >> I'm also a nay. We'll show that pass three to two. And now we have to vote on the motion. Um, >> you say nay. >> I said nay. Yes. Thank you. >> Mhm. Sorry. >> Okay. Okay. All right. And now we'll take a vote on the amended motion which would be still to um pass 4.2 as is. Mr. Todd
054>> I. >> Mr. Kenyon >> I. >> Miss Zimmerman. >> Nay. >> Mr. Serion. >> Hi. >> I'm also a nay. Um it will pass 3 to two. All right. Moving on to item 4.4. Approval to include liquidated damages language in the Liberty ESD number 25 governing board policy 4-105 section E. Um, Miss Zimmerman, you asked for it to be pulled. >> Yes, thank you. um a number. Last time when we brought this forward um and um you know was asked to be reviewed by legal again because it was already in a board agenda when it was previously passed that it was board or it was legal reviewed. But um we said we had talked about not changing the intent but number five um was added um teachers resignation in lie of dismissal. Um and
055so uh did uh legal provide a reason as to why they added that? Madame President, members of the board, um the purpose was to ensure the district does not apply liquidated damages in situations where a teacher is separating uh due to a district initiated action um rather than a voluntary resignation. So this clarification helps ensure the policy is applied consistently and aligns with legal guidance. >> Okay. So legal is that who asked to have this number five added? >> Correct. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Any other questions or comments about the liquidated damages updated language? All right. Then would anybody like to make a motion? >> I'll make a motion to approve liquidated damages language in Liberty ESD number 25 governing board policy or-105 section E. >> Right. We have a motion. Do we have
056a second? I second. All right, we have a motion and a second. Uh, we can take a vote. Mr. Todd, >> I. >> Mr. Kenyon, >> I. >> Miss Zimmerman. >> I, >> Mr. Sereni. >> Hi. >> I'm also an I will show that passed five to zero. And 4.5. Yes, 4.5. Sorry. Um the approval of signed contract for interimm superintendent uh Michelle May Zimmerman. Um I just had it pulled. Um the correction has been made um in front of us, but um at the end of the addendum, it talks about um that this uh you know was approved uh at a legal action was taken at a properly nosed meeting and in the cont or addendum that's attached says February 9th, but that did not occur then. It's happening tonight on February 17th. >>
057Yeah. So just for transparency purposes for the public that has and will be changed. >> Yes, thank you. Um it was updated today by legal and sent back and um I thought Miss Camarada was also included on the email. She was not. So that is why it was not updated in the um board docs but it will be it will be the the correct one but that was the only change from the previous version was the change from February 9th to February 17th. though otherwise it is exactly as it was before. >> Madam President, >> yes, go ahead. >> Also should be noted that there's uh every time there should be a double F like effect effective, the Fs are missing that should be cleaned up. I think we can approve it with the understanding
058that those double Fs be added back into the document throughout. >> I think we can make note of that and have it cleaned up. Anything else about 4.5 or would someone like to make a motion? >> Make a motion to approve signed contract for interim superintendent Michelle May. >> I'll second. >> All right, we have a motion and a second. We can take the vote. Mr. Todd, >> I. >> Mr. Kenyon, >> I. >> Miss Zimmerman. >> I. >> Mr. Serion. >> Hi. >> I'm also an I. We will show that that passed 50. >> All right. Moving on to general business. Item 5.1 discussion approval of contract and work agreement language of notice of appointment for 2627 FY. Do we have any updates from administration or any questions? Uh, Mishmid, I had a couple
059questions. >> Yes, please go ahead. >> Okay. So, um, you know, in, uh, I realize that, you know, different people are in different positions, but in the past, we've always had a striketh through from the previous year. So, in the future, I think that's very helpful so that the board is clearly able to identify the changes. Um, I ended up printing the two contracts to compare the two. But um the first thing um under if we could go to the teacher employment contract on page three under other approved um other board approved benefits. It says, "The board shall provide the following benefits to administrator as set forth in governing board policy or specific board action for which teacher is eligible. Should the word administrator be teacher?" Madame President, members of the board, yes, I would
060agree with you. That should say teacher. >> Okay. >> Get that. Um, >> we can still move forward though with a a motion with some of those minor >> I just wanted to clear that up. And then I just um want to I guess draw the board's attention to you know there is a signing bonus um attached to this or did it Yes. Um and it is something we did last year. um you know it is a budget interest and again the board hasn't really done the budget yet. So, um, you know, if we approve it with the signing bonus, which I'm fine with, you know, I just think the board needs to be cognizant of the fact that, you know, it is a cost to the district and, um, as we learned earlier in
061the study session, um, we're going to be needing to cut at least 500,000 and maybe a million depending on how we decide to handle raises. So, um I looked at last year's um budget prioritization to get a range of how much that was and it was around $80,000. So, just so people are clear as to how much that costs. Um that's all I have for the teacher one. I don't I have other things for different ones. I don't know if any anybody wants to do teacher or has any other things they want to address for teacher. >> I I did have one question on the um signing bonus. When is that paid? Is it paid under this fiscal year or is it paid after the new contract? >> Madam President, members of the board, um
062that is a good question. I believe that it is paid. Let's see. Becky Williams is here right now. I it it says paid next year. >> Yeah, it says that it will >> come in next year's budget. >> Yeah, it says the first regular pay of the 2627 school year. So, it would be next year's budget. >> Okay. Um if we could pull up the limited um term teacher contract, please. So, uh, oh, I didn't write the page number. Hold on. Let me find the right page that I'll be talking about. Uh, it has the same thing under other board approved benefits. Has that same administrator instead of teacher. Um, >> oh yeah, that Okay. So, I'm on page seven and it says conditions for initial hires. But my understanding and from reading the contract
063of a limited term contract is that these are people that are hired after the start of the year. So, wouldn't they all be initial hires for this particular contract? I'm just not sure why we're spelling out specific conditions for initial hires in a limited term contract. That is, if if we go back to page one and read kind of the definition, um teacher is entering into a limited term contract, which means that the contract is specifically being nonrenewed. So when you sign this contract, you know automatically you're being non-renewed pursuant to ARS 1536. So that's Do you understand what I'm asking? >> I'm not sure. Could you say that again? I'm not sure I know what you're asking. >> If this is a contract that is not a continuing teacher, correct? Right. So >> um
064it's not a continuing teacher. So why are there conditions for specifically for initial hires? Because wouldn't all of the people that fell into this contract be an initial hire? >> So are you talking about the acceptance of the contract giving them 5 days to to submit that? >> Well, that Okay. Because that is different than what we give to our returning teachers, >> right? But in here under page eight, it lists the acceptance of the contract for initial hire and returning teachers. But returning teachers wouldn't be on a limited term contract. >> Correct. So we would want to adjust that. Yes. >> So then if you go back to page 33 that says condition for initial hires, would it all of these people >> Thank you. um be initial hires on this contract, this type
065of contract. >> Yes, these would all be initial. Yes. >> Okay. So, I guess I just don't understand like the bolded part for um conditions for initial hires number 33 because I again I think they're all going to be initial hires. So, I just think it it makes it confusing thinking that there are other conditions for returning when it's just not the right contract for them. Madam President, members of the board, uh members in room, I do understand that we can have legal take a look at that um this contract just to make sure that that language is cleaned up a little bit. >> Okay. Um, and then if we could pull up the administrator contract. And I didn't write the pages down. Sorry guys. Um, so on page three, number 11, other board approved
066benefits. And C is the payment of administrators membership fees. Um, this is something that the board cut last year in our budget reductions. Um, we said we were not going to pay that for this for administrators and now it's included in their contract. Um, so again, I guess, you know, my um question is really for the board, right? are we comfortable moving forward and saying we're going to pay for this when last year it was a budget reduction. Um and I also think the board should consider if we are charging teachers liquidated damages. Um, you know, I think it's equally uh concerning for an administrator to leave in the middle of the year and um why do we not I guess kind of hold them to the same standard um and I would say that
067you know they um make significantly more money than teachers and so it's much more of a hardship to teachers. So um you know I'm just surfacing these things for the board to consider. Um, as we look at these contracts, >> Madam President, if I may, >> go ahead. >> I agree with Mrs. Zimmerman. Um, we did strike out all the the dues and membership fees. So, I think it's needs to stay out until we decide if we want to add that back in. So, I don't think it's in the contract. And I I also agree. I don't understand why liquid liquidated damages isn't in there for the administrators. I think it should be in there for everybody. >> I could just ask one other question. So, um are there other contracts that are going to
068come to us like um administrator and all of those psychologists relate? Those are going to come at a separate time. >> Yes, that's correct. uh she was able to get the three done um quickly and just so you know I think she took last year's contract with another contract from Maricopa County and kind of tried to blend the two. So uh that letter C I think was just an oversight. So we'll get that crossed out on the uh membership fees and um there are two coming yet psychologist and related services. So those will come next time too. So, uh, you know, if it's the will of the board to add liquidated damages to administrators, I think we could probably hold off on the administrator one because we don't have to issue those contracts till later.
069Like the teacher ones have to be issued by March 15th. Um, but again, you know, it's the will of the board. Yeah, Madam President, members of the board, I've actually been advised by uh superintendents throughout the state that administrator contracts actually have gone out earlier uh like they've already gone out for many districts. Um because a lot of times that's a trickle down effect. Um as oftenimes we try to grow our own. Um so the administrator's contracts actually have already gone out in many districts. So, we want to we do want to get this out as soon as possible, but at at your will, uh we could we could do that next time, you know, or this time with the the corrected items. >> Any other comments? >> Madam President, I have a question on
070uh 11A. >> Yep. The life insurance for administrator enhanced life insurance option for the administrator administrator's dependence that will be paid for paid for by the administrator. Do we have any clarification? Is is that only offered to administrators or is that offered to everybody? I need to go back and um Mr. John, if I could just add, I printed last year's contract and that was in there. Um, so I I can't speak to why, but I'm just letting you know that it is it was there previously. >> But my question is offered to teachers offered to teachers or just administrators. That's what I'm trying to clarify. >> Madame President, members of the board, member Todd, I uh again, just coming working in other districts, oftentimes it is part of the administrator contract. I don't know
071why that's something that you would like to have removed. I I don't think that there's, you know, that's that's your call, your decision. But I but looking at other contracts and other districts for some reason that's often included. >> Uh I would just like to make sure if we're offering it to administrators, it should be offered to teachers. But I I just struggle that teacher pay is as low as it is in the state and then we pay much more for administrators and then we give them a bunch of extra stuff. And I I think that's hiding money. So if we're going to do that, I would rather see us look to add that to the to the pay so it's very clear upfront. I I don't I don't like this hidden hidden stuff. And
072certainly it's been in previous contracts. you learn every year as you go through this of uh things you'd like to change, but I I don't think we should be offering that just to administrators. >> And we do want to be fair and equitable to all of our employees. So, >> Madam President, if I may >> go ahead. >> Looking at um both the teacher employment contract and the uh and the limited term teacher just by doing a quick search of the life insurance. It does say in both their benefits. Um it does talk about the life insurance as well. >> Thank you. >> Could you uh where is that? Can you point >> In the teacher contract, it's number 31. >> Thank you. >> At the end where it says insurance benefits, it's going to
073be at the very last sentence. >> I see it now. Thank you. I hadn't scrolled that far. >> Miss Schmidt. >> Yes, please. Um, and I just want to say that I agree that I think we need to issue principal contracts and issue the asurances to principles as soon as possible because I do think it's a trickle down as to whether staff wants to sign their contracts because they feel comfortable when they know who their leader is going to be. Um, and hence why, you know, the board is trying to hire a permanent superintendent before we issue everyone's contracts. So, um, I would agree with that statement. And I think it's important that we do that as quickly as possible. >> If I may go ahead. >> I just want to clear something up. I
074said all >> employees will have liquid should have liquidated damage. I didn't mean everybody. >> Talking about the administrators and the teachers. I'm not talking about like are non-exempt. So I just make that clear. I'm not saying they need to have it in their contract. >> Right. Any other discussion? Do we have a motion? >> Are we going to discuss >> uh liquidated damages adding that to this contract? And to what amount? >> We would like to. >> Okay. So, personally, I think administrators that make considerably more money than teachers should have a higher um should have a higher um threshold to pay if uh for liquidated damages. So, I would recommend that to be at least twice as much as the teachers. Any other discussion on that? >> Do you have an amount in
075mind, Mr. Todd? >> Oh, I said >> you said double. >> Oh, sorry. I apologize. I didn't I didn't hear >> at least twice as much. And I would not be opposed to more. Um, it's very hard on the district when a teacher leaves. uh we fortunately have other teachers and we're able to to make do. Um it's I think even a larger impact when an administrator leaves. That's not we don't have lots of extra administrators hanging around. So I would say at least twice as much if not more. And I' I'd be open to hear another number if somebody wants to go hire. >> Madam President, if I may >> go ahead. >> I'm I'm okay with it twice as much. Um I I just my concern is you know it's definitely going to
076have to get legal review. You know what's going to qualify as is is it going to be the same qualifications and how because obviously an administrative contract is a little bit different than a teacher contract. So is there going to be places where they kind of interfere. Um, so that's just my concern right now is making sure that everything is above board and legal and we're not trying to skip anything. Um, I'm not opposed to it. I agree with everything that's been said. Um, and I think in the past we've had and other districts have had administrators that have just kind of left for whatever reason and not really a good reason and it's it's hurt. Um, but when when we're talking about the administrative contracts, I just want to make sure we're doing it
077correctly and if we're going to make a motion to add that tonight, I think we need to be very careful since we don't have legal present to give us specific wording. I think it's something that needs to come back to the board so we can see what it is. >> Mishm, go ahead. I agree with Mr. Kenyon. I do think it needs legal review and I think the policy that aligns with liquidated damages would also need um probably in addition because it's written for teachers only >> and um as I've stated why I wanted this policy is if we're if it's going to come to the governing board then it needs a governing board policy and that is how I assume that the board would want it to come to the to them again since
078the teacher um liquidated just comes us. So >> I would one more madam president. Go ahead. Um >> I know in light of some other things. Should we look at uh specifying mileage travel status or a stipen um keep our friends at the auditor general's office happy? Uh when I Oh, Miss uh Mishmmet. >> Yes, please go ahead. Um when I looked at that um administrator contract the um I'm pretty sure the mileage comes uh it just now I'm not seeing right where I thought it was but I thought that it just said in accordance with governing board policy. So, my thought is we could adjust, we could request uh that policy either to be looked at or uh added. I'm not sure to be honest with you if there is a policy um that
079would allow us to kind of move forward, not necessarily tonight, but you know, rather quickly to approve the contract without um going through all that. Is there a page that you see it on in the contract? The mileage? I don't I actually just searched for mileage and it doesn't show up anywhere. So >> So because under 11 under other uh board approved benefit, it just talks about reimbursement for approved travel on behalf of the district in accordance with applicable board policy in Arizona law. That's where I was thinking it was. It doesn't say the word mileage, but my guess is that it probably falls under there. I'm just trying to keep the auditor happy since they have issues over $26 in mileage. It probably cost them 2,600 to find that, but all right. Any other
080discussion? Do we have a motion that we could make right now? I make a motion to approve the contract and work agreement language for 2627 with the exception of the administrator contract language. Okay. So, we have a motion to approve the contract language for non-exempt notice of appointment limited term teacher contract and teacher employment contract for the 2627 school year. Do we have a second? >> President Schmidt. >> Yes, please. Miss McH. >> Yes. >> Um, Miss Zimmerman. Motion to approve the contract and work agreement language for 2627 with the exception of the administrator language. >> Yes. >> Another word after language or no. >> Um contract language >> contract. But I think I need to add to correct the um >> with this >> limited term. >> Okay. So motion to approve the con.
081Okay. Go ahead. Want me to read it? >> Yes, please. Motion to approve the contract and work agreement language for the 2627 fiscal year with the exception of the administrator contact contract language and with the changes to the contracts as described in the meeting. >> As discussed in the meeting? Yes. >> Okay. >> And so just for the minutes, the the quick changes are to change the um >> administrator to teacher. >> Under um other approved benefits both in the teacher contract and the limited term. And um for the limited term contract, you're removing um mention of returning teachers for this signature because they will not be issued that type of contract. Madame President, members of the board, I also need clarification on what you were wanting to do with the liquidated damages on the
082administrators. We talked about some amounts. Do you want to give me an amount there that we can work on for that adjustment for administrator contracts? Also, I'd be okay with the doubling at 3,000. I know I said double, but I think 5,000 would be more appropriate. Do we know what other districts um charge for liquidated damages for administrators? Because I know when we had the teachers added, we did look around and see that at that time we were a bit high compared to some of the other districts are size and we did adjust them down and then make it prrated. Um, so I think it could be helpful to know what other districts are charging. Um, so that we're not completely out of line with what's happening. >> Madame President, members of the board, I'm
083happy to do that research and um, share with you what I find and let you make the decision from there. >> Okay. Thank you. I think that could be helpful. Okay. We do currently have a motion. And do we have a second for that motion? >> A second. >> Okay. So, we have a motion and a second. Um, we can take the vote. Do you need it read back or are we good on what we're voting for currently? Okay, I'll take that as everybody's on the same page. Uh, Mr. Todd, >> I >> Mr. Kenyon, >> I >> Miss Zimmerman. >> I >> Mr. Sarion. >> Hi. >> I'm also an I will show that passed 5 to zero. >> All right. Moving on to item 5.2, approval to issue purchase orders for FY25. Um,
084payments due. And do we have someone presenting this? Miss Williams, is this you? Madame President, governing board members, um we are requesting to be able to pay some previous year expenditures. When we researched them, there were multiple reasons why it happened. One of the reasons was that we had three different staff members in that position in less than four months. So there was things that just got dropped. There were also some that was because the um they sent it to the wrong email address and so whoever received it did not pass it on to us in accounts payables and then sometimes it also happens when um at the end of the year a company realizes they did not bill us for something. So there's multiple reasons why this did happen. questions for members of the
085board. >> Yeah, Madam President. Thank you, Miss Williams. >> Um, that explains what this is doing here. My question is this one from 2020. I know it's an IRS thing from it's only like less than $30. >> My question is one, how did we go six years without paying this? And then two are because it's been so long, it may be a $29.3 charge, but do we have, you know, $200 in fees on behind this or is that >> No, I believe that is the final. And I know that the previous accountant had been fighting with them on different years and I believe they implemented a new system where they went back several years and um we were able to get everything off until we got down to this amount and it was like okay
086we've spent enough hours we're paying more in hours of trying to clear this st sitting on the phone for two and three hours waiting for them to answer than just to pay it. >> Thank you. I just had a clarifying question. So these are services that were rendered in the prior fiscal year. Correct. And so if they ask for payment in the next fiscal year, it's when the service was provided that um that w is needed to approve it in a separate agenda item outside of a um oh my gosh expense voucher. >> Yes, that is correct. because they happened in we cannot pay anything that was not received by June 30th. We have July, August and September to clear the previous year. If it comes after that, then we need board approval to pay
087anything that comes in after that for the previous year. >> Okay. Thank you so much. Any other questions for Miss Williams? All right. Can we have a motion? I make a motion to approve issuance of purchase orders for fiscal year 25 prior fiscal year payments due to Amazon, Bellar, Bair, IRS, Lakeshore, and OMX. >> Great. We have a motion. Do we have a second? >> Second. Okay, we have a motion and a second. Mr. Kenyon, >> I. >> Mr. Todd, >> Miss Zimmerman, >> I. >> Mr. Sarinion, >> I'm also an I. We'll show that pass. 50 Z. We can move on to item 5.3, stakeholder survey and in stakeholder and survey input report. Dr. Christy Wilson from McFersonson and Jacobson. >> Thank you, President Schmidt, members of the board. Uh, my name is Christy
088Wilson. I'm with McFersonson Jacobson and I have my colleague um Dr. Joel here in the audience with you. Um so I have two items to talk to you guys um tonight and I first wanted to say thank you very much for the opportunity to be with you. Had a a great day back in I think it was December um January spent um most of the full day um interviewing um majority of your your district. We um broke the the groups into um district office, teachers, uh classified folks, um some administrators, and so um from there, we also provided a survey, an online survey, and so I have an executive summary that's um here for you. I'm going to go over the results. It's uh provided for you in sort of a theme-based approach. And then
089um going to just take a few minutes to answer any questions that you might have. the two attachments um in the board uh report there's the actual survey too and the survey has um the feedback survey has the actual questions that were provided to the community the responses and all of that. So it's really a thorough um analysis of of the the survey. And by the way, when we do these um Steve will tell you if he was up here with me, we we do them. The purpose really is to get a really good insight of what the the district um the stakeholders are looking for in the next um superintendent. So um just to kind of go back, Manny, if you don't mind, we'll go back to the the um the actual report. Um
090we on January 16th, I spent the day up here and we focused on three questions. We asked the three questions of the same groups of people. We wanted to f focus in on having the folks tell us the best things about living and working in in the Liberty community. And really um what I learned is that most people up here said it's a very family feeling uh family oriented group of uh folks around. And uh you know it's collaborative. It's a community of survivors. Um people love the 4-day work week. That's one thing that I would say no one wants that to to move away from. Um, lots of t small town feel with a family feel. Um, you know, even though you're one of the districts that's growing, uh, compared to a lot of
091districts around us, it's still got that small family feel. Um, passionate staff, teachers, principles who really care. Lots of people care about what's going on in the district. um folks mentioned that it's lots of recreational activities um above average school facilities and that um schools are unique with signature programs. So, and all of the all of the people that I interviewed said that those same things. So, it wasn't just one or two people saying that. The second question we talked about was uh what are the characteristics, skills, and traits that you're looking for in the next superintendent? And bar none, um, lots of folks said, uh, they want that a people person, somebody that's a relationship builder, somebody that can, um, be visible throughout the district, set the vision, um, a systems thinker. But one
092thing that came out that was really clear, and it aligned with what you all said when Steve and I were here in uh, January, is they want a bold leader. somebody that will build trust, somebody that will help heal the district, and um somebody that's got that proven educational leadership experience, um somebody that's going to be engaging, um a good communicator, and then another one that's not going to surprise anyone, but that has a financial experience, somebody that's going to be able to help you through some financial um hardships or, you know, the struggles that we're a lot of districts are experiencing. Um and then the last question that uh we asked and that the survey asked this in a in a different way is what's the primary challenges and opportunities for the next superintendent
093and um the themes that came true throughout all of the people that I interviewed was it's just this kind of sense of fear amongst staff dur and due to the breakdown in communication or sort of this lack of transparency um uh retention and recruitment of staff. There's a a fear of just being able to recruit and retain staff. Um poor relationship between and amongst board members. Sorry to be the one to report that. Um uh the financial stability of the of uh and planning of the district. We've got to make sure that there's some stability there. Um the board and the superintendent learning and growing together seen as an opportunity. um the future of a bond possibility of you guys thinking through what the bond or override might look like and then an opportunity is
094rebuilding the culture and instilling that sense of calmness and strategic direction. So um now moving forward into um the soalistics uh survey. So what the survey did is and it was posted for I think um from January 27th to February 9th. It was posted online. Lots of access for the community to provide feedback um in a um not a confidential setting was trans transitioned or uh on the website um in Spanish. We wanted to give as many responses as possible and again similar questions. Um, we wanted to find out great things about the district and community. Um, lots of pride, lots of engagement and pride. A lot of people that live in the Liberty District have been here for a very long time. Alumni members, people who really care about the district and the direction
095it's headed. Um, resilience and history and a lot of untapped potential. A lot of people care about what's happening here and they're they're wanting to um, make sure that it's successful. Um and so you can kind of see too if you go if many if you'll go ahead into the um survey I want to point out just a couple things and then take questions. Um the by the way we asked um people not to identify themselves but identify who they were if they were a parent or community member someone if they were you know someone that didn't have kids or whatever. Um, and so you can go into the actual survey and um, 65% of the people that took the survey, there were over, in case you're wondering, there were about 20, I think 25
096or 27 people who took the survey and um, 65% um said that they prefer um, the next superintendent have experience as a teacher. Um they also said that they want 56% said that they want um PE experience working in a public school in this state. But the number one characteristic or expertise that they they said is is experience working in finance. So that's really important. They want somebody that has that experience uh working in in with numbers and uh experience with with finance. Um the ser the survey also said um let me get to that page real quick that um similar to what similar to what we found in the in the district when we were talking about um the great things is just again community engagement dedicated highquality educators and staff. So your your
097community uh members who live live here that might not necessarily have parent or have have students in the um schools, they still know that your teachers, your principles, and your support staff, they're consistently described as caring, hardworking, deeply committed to students. Many go above and beyond despite limited resources and instability. They form the back they they form the backbone of the district and the schools their quality and even though it's challenging times they're very committed. So you should be commended for that. So lots of community members that are very very committed to the success of the Liberty School District. So um in summary um I just wanted to make sure you caught this because I'm going pretty quickly here. There in the um online survey there were total responses. Um, look, 56% of the people
098who took the responses have a parent in your schools, 35% were staff members, and around 5% were um, current staff members or they were somebody that had a parent or teacher. And so, you have all of the results and um, I'm here, you know, whatever other questions you have because you have the report in front of you, too. what other questions you guys might have about the the day that I spent with your focus groups or the actual survey itself. Uh thank you Dr. Wilson for presenting and for taking your time on that Friday to spend the day with our staff members and talk to them. Any questions about the survey results or that day for Dr. Wilson right now? Madam President, if >> Go ahead. >> More of a thank you. Thank you for
099this. I appreciate all that you've put into this and your team and thank you to those who actually took the time to do this survey. I know not only was it available um on the on the website and public links, but all the parents got emailed it. I was emailed it. Um it just a little bit saddens me that only 230 people decided to take the survey. And when you look at we have over 4,000 kids in the district and most of them have you know not all of them but a lot of them have two parent homes and then all the staff in the district that could be close to 9,000 people not including people who aren't associated with schools. And so you know it's just you know just that quick math it's about
1002.5% of people who could have taken this everybody took it. But not that I disagree with what what's being said here at all. I'm just saying it would be nice to have more community input. Thank you. >> Absolutely. >> Mishmid, Jess, go ahead. So on the executive summary um on page six where you list general themes from both the interview and the survey are they numbered in any particular order like in terms of um you know the frequency in which those themes were brought up or is it more just general? >> Um President Schmidt, members of the board, not in any particular order. You could actually go through and sort of count if you wanted to, but no, but I I would say that the overall theme, for example, of family oriented, you know, everyone
101that I talked to and the sense of small town feeling, the things that I hit when I was talking to you, th the reason I said those particular things is it just seemed to be common. Even though someone was saying maybe, you know, we really would like somebody, our next superintendent, to be skilled at communicating, they would circle back to but but we want them to also know how important it is to instill the small town feel as we grow. It always seemed to center back because the beauty in doing one-on-one conversations with someone, as you know, is you don't just answer the one question, you continue to kind of talk about what's important to you, you know? So it always sort of those themes always kind of came back in one way or the
102next if that makes sense. >> Yeah. And uh again I appreciate you know the work that you've done and the and the people that spoke to you. You know there were a couple of things that stood out to me as a board member as I read this. Um, number one, I feel like it aligned with the things that I hear out in the community and from staff and things that I think that the board should be looking for in our next superintendent. So, it was nice to kind of have those things affirmed, I guess, that the community feels the same way. Um, one of the things that really struck me that you wrote was that we are a community of survivors and and it was a little bit heartbreaking to be honest with you that
103our staff and our parents essentially feel like we're surviving, right? And I don't think it's an inaccurate statement, but just that how important the decision we have before us, it just is instrumental in making the correct decision to really you know change the direction of this district. Um and um you know that sense of fear like just again um I know it's there. I have been told over and over, you know, by staff, I'm not comfortable entering the climate survey. I don't I don't know who's going to look at it, who's going to, you know, that fear of retaliation. And so, when it came to this, you know, uh although I often encourage them to fill out the climate survey, I said, I really implicitly trust Dr. Slo and I really think it's important you
104take it. But I, you know, was able to say, it's not coming to the district, it's going to our consulting firm. You know, you don't need to be afraid. Um but that that fear is real and that you were able to capture that, you know. Um I think the board needs to continue to consider, you know, that in our next leader and and um and the number four on your general themes, I felt like summed it all up for me. a resounding need for a strong leader who can establish independence from board pressure while establishing student first priorities, ethical decision-making and a clear focus on stu on instruction and student supports. So, I just really appreciate how you um you know really were able to take these ideas and summarize them and I I think
105you did an excellent job. So, I really appreciate your time and your energy. Thank you so much. >> You're welcome. I would like to respond though um board member um board president Schmidt and then board member Zimmerman. I did not write the community of survivors. Those aren't my words. Those are from somebody I interviewed. So, um, just in full transparency, these are my words, my summary. But that is from a direct quote from a person I interviewed who I think was very passionate in just saying I that's how that person felt at the time. And again, it was just sort of again when you do the interviews, it just kind of comes out. And so I want to just provide that context. >> Anything else? >> Madam President, I have one question. >> Yeah, go
106ahead. >> Um, your survey was essentially just a climate survey though there was there was no qualification. Um, you didn't qualify the respondents in any way really just other than they were just a teacher, a staff. And the only reason why I ask is because in here there's one that talks about dedication. I just scrolled past it to look at the other one. Um, community engagement and pride. The community is deeply invested in its school with high levels of parent involvement, volunteering, advocacy, and attendance at events. And then you tell me we had 229 respondents. So I'm concerned how we qualify. This always becomes an issue with surveys. How do you qualify the respondents to know is this is this just a feeling or is there something behind it more? Because 229 applicants or 229
107respondents does not equal a community as deeply invested in schools with high levels of parent involvement. We it's not there. So how do that's always the the question of surveys is how do you qualify it? Did you do any qualification of it or when somebody gave you a question or an answer do you ask why they formulate that? That's always in surveys, that's always an important thing to qualify the response. >> So, um, board president Schmidt, members of the board, I'm not sure I understand the question completely. Did I did I qualify the response based on >> based off of the who the respondent is >> or or if they say something, do you do you do you dig into that to see why they feel that way? Because there's a lot of there's a
108lot of opinion in in any survey you do. You can just ask who's going to win the Super Bowl next year. Somebody will tell you >> AI probably has it right these days. But but when you look at that, you start qualifying why they feel this team. You know, oh, I've liked the Cowboys forever. Okay, that's not reason that they're going to win the Super Bowl. You know, I I don't like the Dodgers, so the Dodgers aren't going to win the World Series. But who is this person? Are they a former, you know, where where does the qualification come to give a response? And that's something that has always been a a a question in surveys that are are validated. >> Well, this this this survey, as I understand, and I didn't didn't administer the
109survey, the company did, and it was an online survey. So, in contrast, when I was answering the questions from board member Zimmerman, that was a one-on-one um interview. So it's a little different to your point, but to qualify and the qualifications of the survey, I think the only information we have is when they answer it, the parent of the current student or current staff member, that's the that's the who and then how they answer it. Now your question about you know they or your comment rather about there's only 229 responses and then there's this generalization that there's a community that loves these people love our community. There's some generalization there. Um, one thing about surveys, there's if you get 10% of people to fill out a survey, that's actually pretty good. Um, just the research
110alone says if you can get 10%. So, I think your your population you said 4,500 or something like that. >> So, if you can get 10% that's really >> that's that's students. >> That was students. So, we're talking about >> in general surveys in general though. I'm just saying research says if you can get 10% it's really good. >> How many in the district? So just just looking at the students right we have 4,000 we just talked about our ADM just over 4,000 four and a quarter and if you take those kids and just say they each have two parents and and then plus the staff that's close to 9,000 people who would have been at least presented with this opportunity to take the survey um and then to get you know 230 and I'm
111not that's why I'm thanking those who did fill this out and did take the time to do that because it is important, but also understanding that that was when you do that quick math, it's only two just over 2%. Um, so, you know, it glad to have this data. Um, I I believe it represents the people that you did speak with or that actually filled out the survey. Um, I just wish there would have been more so we got a bigger idea, right, of making sure that this is districtwide, not local or, you know, just there's so many variables like board member Todd was saying, but again, it's not not necessarily what you're doing, >> right? >> But just >> doesn't encap doesn't capture all of the entirety. >> Right. Right. But just uh just
112bringing that to the public and to the board's understanding of what what we're looking at. Thank you. Thank you. Anything else? All right. If we have nothing else, thank you so much for the time that you took and your presentation and putting it all together for us. We can move on to agenda item 5.4. Um, pursuant to ARS 38-431.03A1, 03A1 call for an executive session to screen applicant submissions for the position of district superintendent. Madam President, I make a motion to convene an executive session pursuant to ARS 38-431.03A1 to screen applicant submissions for the position of district superintendent. >> Thank you. We have a motion. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Okay, we have a motion and a second. We'll take the vote. Board member Todd. >> I. >> Member Kenyon. >> I.
113Members Zimmerman >> I. >> Members >> I'm also an I. We will show that that passed 50 and we will move into executive session at 6:35. Hey. Heat. Heat. Hey, hey. Tonight, Are you Heat. Heat. How are you? Heat. Heat. blue. I do my Hey. Hey. Hey. Happy single. Hollywood. Heat. Heat. Hey, hey, hey. I thought you sound. Somebody. Heat. Hey, Heat. Heat. Heat. Stupid. Beauty. Down. I want you. Heat. Heat. Jack. Heat. Heat. Baby, hey. I don't want Heat. Heat. Heat. Hey, hey, hey. Heat. Heat. Come on. Happy. Heat. Hey, Heat. Heat. Heat. Hey, hey, hey. Down. Heat. Heat. Hey, Heat. Heat. Number I want you. Hey, hey, hey. Are you Heat. Heat. Lou, baby. Hey, How? Toriat. Happy. I want you. Heat. Heat. Heat. Hey, Heat. Heat. Heat. Hey. everywhere. Hey Heat. Heat.
114Heat. Heat. Hey, Heat. Heat. Heat. Hey, Oh, hey. Baby, I'm Heat. Heat. Hey, Heat. Hey, Heat. Hey, somebody. I want. Heat. Heat. N. Heat. Heat. I do. Hey, I love you. Heat. Heat. Hey, hey, hey. Heat. Heat. Heat. Hey. Hey. Hey. Heat. Heat. Heat. Hey, Heat. Hey. Heat. Heat. Hey, I feel down. Heat. Heat. Hey, hey, hey. Heat. down. Oh. Happy. You got Heat. Heat. Hey. Heat. Heat. That's Hey, Here we go. Heat. Heat. Everything. Heat. Heat. Hey. Heat. Heat. Hey, Happy. Hey, hey, hey. How are you? Heat. Heat. Heat. Doing hey. Heat. Heat. N. everybody up. Happy honey. Heat. Heat. Heat. Hello. Hey, hey, hey. Heat. Heat. Tonight, Heat. Heat. Hey, hey, hey. Heat. Heat. Heat. All right, we are re reconvening our special meeting at 8:36 p.m. Um, moving on to agenda item
1155.6, direction to representatives of McFersonson and Jacobson to take action as instructed by the governing board in executive session. Uh, do we have a motion? Yeah, Madam President, I would like to make a motion to give direction to McFerson and Jacobson to proceed with the process as discussed in executive session. Second. >> Okay. >> He has it written down for you, Miss Camarada. Thank you, Chris. So, first you made the motion and then >> Yep. And Mr. Todd seconded. >> All right. Are we good? >> Mhm. >> Okay, we can take a vote. Uh, member Todd >> I. >> Member Kenyon. >> I. >> Member Zimmerman. >> I. >> Member Sinion. >> Hi. >> I'm also an I. We will show that passed five to zero. Moving on to agenda item 6.1, board comments on
116agenda topics and items for future consideration. Any requests? >> I just have one. >> Yep. Um, I'd like us to review policy 4-105. >> All right. Any other uh requests? All right, I will take silence as a no for tonight. Moving on to 7.1, upcoming board meetings. Um there is a special board meeting scheduled for Monday, February 23rd currently. Um we'll see. Then we have a meeting on Monday, March 2nd. That's a special and regular board meeting. Um, and the Monday, March 9th was cancelled because we are moving it to the second. So, just clarifying that since it's on our agenda right now. And then the one after that is Monday, March 30th, which is our optional special board meeting if we need one. Um, based on the time of year and all the things
117happening, I would probably plan on them at this point, but just so we're aware. Um, and with that, we can adjourn our special meeting at 8:39 p.m. >> The same guy that you Hey, hey, hey. Hey, hey.